During the month of July, two exhibits will be on display in Chesterfield that should not be missed.
The Chesterfield Community Center is hosting a unique photography show featuring a selection of wedding pictures from local families that range from the 1860s to the present.
“Dee Cinner and I thought it would be an interesting thing to do,” show organizer Gigi Kaeser said. “Many of the photographs are from people whose families have lived here for a very long time.”
Wedding photographs have held a prominent place in families since the mid 1800s. Passed down through the generations along with the stories that go with them, they not only capture personal family events and traditions, but also serve as a snapshot of history with regard to culture, style and social trends.
Kaeser said that she and Cinner approached many Chesterfield residents to submit wedding photos, and for a while they had no response.
“Then, this wonderful stuff just started pouring in,” Kaeser said. “The oldest photograph we have is from 1868 and the latest one is from 2017.”
The show went up in June in keeping with the popularity of June weddings.
“We are keeping it up through July as many people come back to town for the Fourth of July,” Kaeser said.
On Sunday at 2 p.m., there will be a reception at the Community Center located at 400 Main Road. All are welcome to attend.
Members of the Hilltown Arts Alliance will show their work at the Hilltown Community Development Corporation located at 387 Main Road.
This show features a variety of artistic styles and media, and includes artists such as Kathryn Jensen, Gerrie Kennedy, Peggy Klineman, Peter McLean, Kevin O’Connor, Jan Roby, Natalie Stafford and other members of the alliance.
The show opens on July 9 with a reception at 4 p.m. Refreshments will be served and music will be provided by Muddy Roads with Carolyn Hicks on banjo, Bob Lovell on Guitar and Karen Simon on fiddle.
When Chesterfield holds its 70th annual Fourth of July parade and celebration on Tuesday, one face in the parade might be a surprise to residents.
“We just heard last week that Congressman (Richard) Neal will be marching in the parade this year, so that is a first,” event organizer Ed Severance said.
Neal had recently been criticized for ignoring his Hilltown constituents by a group called Indivisible Williamsburg, who took out a “missing” person advertisement in the June 10-11 Weekend Gazette, which asked “Has anyone seen this man?”
“I don’t know if he decided to come because of that, but we are happy that he is coming,” Severance said.
The 47th annual Plainfield Volunteer Firefighters Association will host its annual chicken barbecue Sunday, Sept. 3, and tickets have just gone on sale.
The barbeque always sells out, so those who want to attend are encouraged to get their tickets early.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12 years old and can be purchased from any Plainfield firefighter or EMT or by calling the fire station.
This event will include a traditional barbeque dinner, live entertainment, a silent auction and the fire department’s new vehicle accident stabilization equipment and rescue trailer will be on display.
The firefighters barbecue is Plainfield’s signature annual event, and brings together most of the town’s residents and friends for an afternoon of good food and entertainment. This event is one of the largest annual fundraisers of the Plainfield Volunteer Firefighters Association, supporting operations of the town’s volunteer Fire/EMS department.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at fryan.gazette@gmail.com.